Billing machine



March 16, 1937. E, PFEIFFER I Re. 20,296

BILLING MACHIN E Original Filed June 12, 1931 v 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 JnuanbvFRANK z. PFEIFFER,

v A L F. E. PFEIFFER BILLING MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 FRANK E.PFEIE'FER. p? m F Original Filed June 12, 1951 March 16, 1937. F. E.PFEIFFER 20,295

- BILLING MACHINE Original Filed June 12, 1931 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Jam-4mam rim/ ran.

March 16, 1937. PFEIFFER Re. 20,296

BILLING MACHINE Original Filed June 12, 1931 5 Sheets-Sheet 4FKHNKE.PFEIF'FER,

Max-ch16, 1937. F. E. PFEIFFER BILLING MACHINE Original Filed June 12,1931 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 FRANK E. PFEIFFER,

Way

ullllild'lllllll will! Reissues! Mar. 16, 1937 PATENT OFFICE.

BILLING MACHINE Frank E. Pi'eifier, Dayton, Ohio, assignor to The EgryRegister Company, Dayton, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Original No.1,966,682, dated July 17, 1934, Serial No. 543,773, June 12, 1931.

Application for reissue September 20, 1934, Serial No. 744,831

36 Claims.

It is a further object of supplying from either .a single source ofsupply or a plurality of sources of supply the plurality of groups ofsheets to be is aligned, of delivering them in a. single group and,

while so delivered in a single group, aligning each group independentlyto bring all members of the single group into alignment.

It is my object to provide further 'means for a common support for thealigned group and a common clamping means for the aligned group when soaligned.

It is a further object of my invention to release the common clampingmeans on the final single 25 group and simultaneously actuate the meansfor aligning the indepefident groups so that the sheets comprising thesingle group may move independently in groups with respect to each otherfor final alignment. 30 Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of a flat bed writing machine adaptableeither for autographic writing or machine writing as by a flat bedplaten typewriteror billing machine; 35 FigureZ is a sectionpn the line2--2 of Figure 1 looking in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 3 is a section on the line 3-4'of FigureZ looking in thedirection of the arrows;

Figure 4 is a section on the line 4-4of Figure 2; Figure 5 is anenlarged detail section on the line 5-'-5 01' Figure 1 showing thealigningmechanism of one of the lOups;

Figure 6 is an enlarged detail section on the line 8-6 of Figure 1showing the clamping mechanismi'or the composite group; in-this viewonly one group of, sheets is shown for the purpose of clarity, but,normally, there would be two or more groups of sheets which are clampedon the final writing table or platen;-

Figure 7 is adetail view-similar to Figure showing the parts in alignedposition for the sheets. Referring to the drawings in detail, a supportcomprising standards I and feet 1 arranged in 55 spaced relationship andconnected by the rods 3 forms a support for the mechanism hereinafterdescribed, particularly the side bars 4. Mounted on the side bars 4 isthe usual flatbed typewriter or billing machine which is connected tothe racks 5. This has beenomitted from the present showing as it formsno part of the present invention and is of conventional character.

My invention, of course, is adaptable to autographic or handwriting aswell.

. The operator normally sits or stands at .the right hand end of themachine so as to be in position to operate the typewriter, billingmachine or to write upon the superimposed group of sheets, designated 6.The sheets are pulled out by the operator towards the operator and thefree ends of the sheets of group 6 are clamped by the clamp I, which'isprovided with a sharp edge 8 against which the torn 011 sheets can betorn. The clamp ,l clamps the free ends of the sheets between thebottomoi the clamp l and the clamping support 9 carried on the crossframe member Ill between the side bars 4.

The-clamp l is carried by a pair of arcuate arms ll pivoted on the crossshaft l2. The arm is provided with an extension l3 having a slot l4 forreceiving the pin IS on one end of a lever it that is pivoted on a crossrod l1 between the bars 4., The other end of this lever i6 is pivotallymounted on the transverse rod l8 between the side bars 4 and isconnected through the sleeve I! with the depending finger thatconstitutes a hook 2| for engagement with a spring 22. The other end ofthis spring is connected on a hook 23 on an arm 24' which is connectedto a sleeve 25 that is a. part of the lever I l. Thus, the spring, whenactuated, is-p'ulled from both ends when the levers H and IS on the onehand and the lever IS on the other hand assume a straight line pos'i"tion and approach dead center, which is'the nonclamping position of theclamp I.

This actuation or the lever I6 is eii'ected through the rod 11 by themovement of the leverii which is mounted thereon and the free end ofwhich is connected to the link 21. The link 21 is connected at its lowerend to the loot treadle 28 having a foot bar 29. The rear end of thistreadle is pivoted at. Ill to the link II that is mounted-upon the crossrod 3.

The sheets are fed from a pack in two groups generally designated '32and 31' The group I2 consisting oi. a plurality of sheets withtransverse creases or perforations 34, is fed upwardly between theguiding bars 35 and. 36, through the slot II between the fr'earsaligningtable portions II. and 3! and thenceforwardly over the table i 33. Theportions of the sheet passing over the table 33 are guided and directedby a spring plate 40 mounted on the portion 38. The two bars 35 and 38are carried between laterally disposed an- 5 gular slide members 4| andreciprocate in synchronism with similar guide bars 42 and 43 carried onthe slide 44 which guide the grdup of sheets 33. These reciprocatingguide members 4| and 44 are connected by rods 45. The first mentionedgroup of sheets 32 proceed to the right hand towards the operator overthe aligning table portion 45 and thence over the top of the groupof'sheets 33 serving thereby as the aligning and directing means for thegroup of sheets 33 in the 5 same manner that the spring plate 40 servesas a directing means for the group of sheets 32 to direct them into ahorizontal plane. Both groups of sheets proceed thereafter. over thealigning table 41 as a composite unit designated group 6,

the free ends of each group of sheets being clamped by the clamp 1 asheretofore explained.

It will be noted that the two slides 4| and 44 with their connectingrods 45 are actuated by a common actuating plate 48 having an annularcross member 49 which is engaged by the bell crank 50 pivoted at 5| andactuated by a chain 52 that is connected around the rod 53 on the foottreadle' 28 so that, when the treadle is actuated by pressing downwardlyby the operator, the

30 clamp I will be elevated while the sheets-are thus loosened from theclamp and can slide horizontally one on the other. The sheets arealigned by groups by the movement of the slides 4| and 44 The slides 4|and 44 have thereon transverse plates 4|b and 44b. The real-ends 'of theplates i 45 and 41 have formed thereon sharp edges 4| a and 44a forengagement with transverse creases in the strips of paper for aligningthe strips, when the transverse plates 4|b and 44b are moved forwardlyunder the action of the spring 54.

In Figure 5 the transverse rods 42 and 43 are in the advanced positionfor holding the sheets 33 so that they are aligned by means of the sharpedge 44a. In Figure 7 thesesame rods 42 and 45 43 are in their rearwardpositions for permitting the feeding of the strips through the slot inthe tables or plates. The rods 35 and 35 and the rods 42 and 43 engagethe respective groups ofsheets 32 and 33 pushing them backwardly toloosen them so that they can be thus aligned. Such movement unbends thesheets as shown in Figure 5 from engagement with the sharp corners ofthe plate 41 and the plate 39 respectively. When the treadle is releasedthe spring 54 moves these 55 aligning plates forwardly, and, in doingso, causes therods 36 and 42 to engage the respective groups of sheets32 and 33 and to cause them to engage the sharp edges of the plates 33and 41 and to thus place an acute angle in the sheets along the lines oftheir perforations. This prevents forward movement of the sheets and theentire group of sheets 5 is clamped by the clamp 1.

There are several advantages gained by the alignment'of the sheets ingroups andthe deliv- 05 cry of the aligned groups in a single group andthe alignment of the sheets while in the single group after each writingoperation when the sheets written upon have been torn oil". Whenutilizing a machine having more than three or four sheets, if analignment is attempted by aligning on thecreases as indicated, it hasbeen found that, due to the excessive number of sheets over three orfour, or if particularly heavy paper is being employed, the sheets indoing their aligning operation will pull'themselves out of alignment dueto the thickness of the group of sheets over the aligning creases ortransverse perforations. By aligning in groups, this mal-alignment doesnot take place because there are insufllcient number of sheets to causesufficient thickness to throw the sheets out of alignment. Therefore,perfect alignment is secured and, at the same time, the advantage ofhaving from three to fifteen, or twenty, sheets in-superimposedrelationship in a single group maintained in perfect alignment isobtained.

The'alignment is retained by moving the bars 42 and 43, or 35 and 35into their forward locking positions to hold the aligned creased sheetsagainst the sharp edges of the supporting plates 33 and 41.

Another advantage that results from this arrangement is that the'sheetsmay be separately written upon in aligned groups on the respectivesupports 39 and 41 or on the support 39 and the support 55, whichsupports the group of sheets 5.

A further advantage is the fact that, with a plurality of these groupsof sheets and separate aligning means for each group, the machine isrendered flexible so that any number of groups may be written upon bylaying back the sheets of one group and not utilizing them while theother group is being written upon.

. It will be understood thata plurality of carbon sheets are interleavedbetween the composite group of sheets 6 but the showing of these carbonsheets is eliminated for the purpose of clarity, as such arrangement isa conventional one in mechanism of this character.

It will be understood that I des re to comprehend within my inventionsuch modifications as may be necessary to adapt it to varying conditionsand uses;

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desireto secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. In a machine for writing, upon a plurality 7 of superimposed sheetshaving transverse creases,

means for aligning said sheets by groups of said sheets by aligning'saidsheets on their transverse creases, and means for supporting said sheetsin a single group of aligned sheets.

2; In a machine for writing upon a plurality v of superimposed sheetshaving transverse creases,

means for aligning said sheets by groups of said sheets by aligning saidsheets ontheir transverse creases, and means for supporting said sheets.

in a single aligned group, and means of clamping the group.

3. In a machine for writing upon a plurality of superimposed sheetshaving transverse creases, means for aligning said sheets by groups ofsaid sheets by aligning said sheets on their'transverse creases, meansfor supporting said sheets in a single aligned. group, means of clampingthe group,.and means for unclamping the group just before the alignmentof the separate groups takes place.

4. In a machine for iting upon a plurality of superimposed sheets havingtransverse creases, means for aligning said sheets by groups of saidsheets by aligning said sheets ontheir transverse creases, means forsupporting said'sheets in a single aligned group, means of clamping thegroup, means for unclamping the group just before the alignment of theseparate groups takes place, and means to efl'ect the-alignment of theseparate groups simultaneously.

5. In combination in a machine for writing upon a plurality ofregistered superimposed sheets transverse creases therein.

6. In combination in a machine for writing upon a plurality oiregistered superimposed sheets having transverse creases, aslottedplate, an aligning slide adapted to move with relation to the slot insaid plate, front and rear guide bars in spaced relationship mounted onsaid slide between which said superimposed sheets are guided through theslot and over a portion of the slotted plate at substantially rightangles to the plane of delivery of. the sheets, whereby said guide barsengaging the sheets adjacent the slot will draw said sheets forward foralignment along the transverse creases therein, means for actuating saidslide, and a clamping means for engaging the free ends of said sheetsadapted to be unclamped when said slide is actuated.

7. In combination in a machine handling a plurality of superimposedsheets having transverse aligning creases, a plate over which saidsheets are drawn having an edge for aligning the transverse creases ofthe sheets, a slide adapted to engage said sheets adjacent the bottom ofsaid plate, spaced bars on saidslide for alternately pushing and pullingsaid sheets away from and against the edge 01' said plate, a secondmechanism 01' similar character interconnected with the first mentionedmechanism, whereby said slides move simultaneously and the sheetshandled thereby are aligned simultaneously in independent groups, and acommon means for supporting and clamping the groups of sheets in asingle group.

8. In combination in a machine handling a plurality of superimposedsheets having transverse aligning creases, a plate over which saidsheets are drawn having an edge for aligning the transverse creases ofthe sheets, a slide adapted to engage said sheets adjacent the bot-' tomof said plate, spaced bars on said slide for alternately pushing andpulling said sheets away sheets Just before they are aligned in groups.

f plate, spaced bars on said slide for alternately 75 single and meansfor unclamping said 9. In combination in a machine handling a pluralityof superimposed sheets having transverse aligning creases, a plate overwhich said sheets are drawn having an edge for aligning the transversecreases oi the sheets, a slide adapted to engage saidsheets adjacent thebottom oi said pushing and pulling said sheets away from and against theedge of said plate, a second mecha nism of similar character interconneced with the first mentioned mechanism, whereby said slides movesimultaneously and the sheets handled thereby are aligned simultaneouslyin independent groups.'a common means for supporting and clamping thegroups of sheets in a sheets just before they are aligned in groups,means associated with the first mechanism for aligning the ilrstgroup ofsheets to direct the sheets in parallel relationship over the supportingplate, said second group of sheets being engaged by the first group ofsheets for directing the second group of sheets over the secondsupporting .plane of delivery of the sheets and parallel to the surfaceof the tables, means for aligning the sheets of each group against theedges of the tables along the line of the creases in the sheets, meansof supporting the groups of sheets in a single group, means of clampingthe single group of sheets, means of unclamping the single group ofsheets and effecting a subsequent in the separate groups of sheets.

11. In combination in a machine having a plurality o'i superimposedsheets having transverse creases, means of supplying said sheets ingroups to spaced tables at substantially right angles thereto and ofdirecting each group of sheets over said tables at right angles to theplane of delivery of the sheets and parallel to the surface of thetables, means for aligning the sheets of each'group against the edges ofthe I superimposed substantial aligned relationship and havingtransverse creases in substantially superimposed relationship, means foraligning said sheets in groups along their transverse creases means tordelivering the sheets into a single group, means for clamping saidsheets in the single vgroup, and a common means for releasing the sheetclamping means and the aligning means substantially simultaneously. 7

13. In a machine having a plurality oi sheets in superimposedsubstantial aligned relationship and .having transverse creases insubstantially superimposed relationship, a supporting standard, a foottreadle mounted thereon, a supporting plate for a plurality of sheets, aclamp adapted to engage said sheets, yielding means for maintaining saidclamp in position, means for connecting said clamp to the loot treadle,means for supporting and delivering a plurality oi. sheets in a plane atright angles to the planeof the support -ior the sheets, means foraligning said sheets along their transverse creases and for deliveringthem in a horizontal plane on to the supporting table, and meansinterconnecting the aligning means and said foot treadle forsimultaneous' operation with the clamp.

14. In amachine. having a plurality of sheets in superimposedsubstantial aligning relationship and having transverse creases insubstantially superimposed relationship, a supporting standard. a foottreadle mounted thereon, a supporting plate ior a plurality of sheets, aclamp adapted to engage said sheets, yielding means for maintaining saidclamp in position, means for connecting alignment til said clamp to thefoot treadle, means-for supporting and delivering a plurality of sheetsin a plane at right angles to the plane of the support for the sheets,means for aligning said sheets along their transverse creases and fordelivering them in a horizontal plane on to the supporting table, andmeans interconnecting the aligning means and said foot treadle forsimultaneous operation with the clamp, and yielding means for restoringthe aligning means and clamp to their initial position and of returningthe foot treadle to its initial position.

15. In combination, a plurality of horizontallydisposed spaced slottedtables adapted to support sheets having transverse creases, slidablemeans on each table carrying spaced guide members, said guide membersbeing adapted to align the sheets on their transverse creases and guidethe sheets in groups therebetween and through the slots of said tables;and another tablei'or supporting all of said sheets in loose,superimposed relationship to permit independent movement of the sheets.

16. In combination in a machine having a plurality of superimposedsheets having transverse creases, a writing table for supporting aplurality of groups of sheets, a plurality of spaced separate aligningtables, each adapted to receive a group of sheets, means associated witheach aligningtable for aligning the group of sheets against the edges ofthe aligning tables along the lines of cr ases of the sheets, and means01' clamping the sheets of all the groupsaiter alignment on the writingtable in a single group of aligned sheets. a

17. In a billing machine, a table having slots therein, each slotadapted to receive a group of sheets of paper, means adjacent each slotto align the sheets therein, means on the table to clamp the sheets ofboth groups, and a common means to release the clamp and operate thealigning means. l

18. In a billing machine, a table having slots therein, each slot beingadapted to receive a group of sheets of paper, means beneath each slotto move the sheets of paper therein with relation to the slot, a clampon the table to .clamp all the sheets, and a common means to release theclamp and to operate said means.

19. In a billing machine, a table having slots therein to receive sheetsof paper, the table on one side of each slot having a sharp edge, meansbeneath each slot tending to hold the sheets therein against the sharpedge, a clamp for clamping all of the sheets, and a common means torelease the ""dge, a pair of rollers beneath each slot tending 7 fromthe sharp edges.

' clamp and to move said means to move the sheets away from the sharpedges.

20. In a billing machine, a table having a plurality of slots therein toreceive sheets of paper, the table on one side of each slot having asharp edge, means beneath each slot tending to hold the sheets thereinagainst the sharp edge, a clamp on the table for clamping all of thesheets, and a treadle for releasing the. clamp and to move said means tomove the sheets away 21. In abilling machine, a table having a pluralityof slots therein to receive sheets or paper,

the table-on-one side of eachslot having a sharp to hold the sheetstherein against the sharp edge, a clamp for clamping all of the sheets,and a common means for releasing the clamp and for moving the rollers tomove ,the sheets away from the sharp edges.

22. In a billing machine, a table having a plurallty'oislots therein toreceive sheets of paper,

' the table on one side of each slot having a sharp separate groups,separate means for aligning saidsheets in each group, and means forsupporting said groups as a single group both before and after theoperation of said aligning means.

24. In a machine having a plurality of sheets, means to supply saidsheets to said machine in separate groups, separate means for aligningsaid sheets in each group, means for supporting said groups as a singlegroup both before and after the operation of said aligning means, andmeans for intermittently clamping the single group of sheets.

25. In a machine having a plurality of sheets, means to supply saidsheets tosaid machine in separate groups, separate means for aligningsaid sheets in each group, means for supporting said groups as a singlegroup both before and after the-operation oi said aligning means, meansfor intermittently clamping the single group of sheets,

.and means for unclamping the single group of sheets while the sheetsare being aligned.

26. Apparatus oi the character described having, in combination, meansfor guiding a strip to writing position including a transverse stripchecking edgejand a strip-retracting device movable into and out ofposition projecting outside said checking edge.

27. Apparatus ot'the character described having in combination, astrip-aligner around which the strips are adapted to fold, and a devicemovably mounted adjacent to said strip aligner and gage said sheetsadjacent their engagement on their creases with the rear edge of thewriting table to change the angularity of that portion of the sheetsbeneath the table to facilitate the movement of the sheets over thetable.

29. In an autographic machine, a writing table, means of supplyingtransversely creased stationery arranged in a superimposed series ofsheets,

the creases of which are adapted to be aligned on the rear edge of thewriting table, reciprocable means beneath the writing table adapted toengage said sheets adjacent their engagement on their creases with therear edge of the writing table to change the angularity of that portionof the sheets beneath the table to facilitate the movement of. thesheets over the table, and clamping means for the forward ends of thesheets on the table to maintain said sheets originallyon the table.

30. In an autographic machine, a writing table, means of supplyingtransversely creased stationery arranged in a superimposed series ofsheets, the creases of which are adapted to be aligned on the rear edgeof the writing table, reciprocable means beneath the writing tableadapted to engage said sheets adjacent their engagement on their creaseswith the rear edge of the writing table to change the angularity of thatportion of the'sheets beneath the table to facilitate the movement ofthe sheets over the table, clamping means for the forward ends of thesheets on the table to maintain said sheets originally on the table, anda common actuating means for releasing the clamping of the forward endsof the sheets and for releasing the rear ends of the 1 sheets bychanging the angle of the ends of the sheets beneath the table adjacentthe rear edge thereof.

31. In an autographic machine, a writing table, means of supplyingtransversely creased stationery arranged in-a superimposed series ofsheets, the creases of which are adapted to be aligned on the-rear edgeof the writing table, reclprocable means beneath the writing tableadapted to engage said sheets adjacent their engagement on their creaseswith the rear edge of the writing table to change the angularity of thatportion of the sheets beneath the table to facilitate the movement ofthe sheets over the table, c1amp-. ing means for the forward ends of thesheets on the table to maintain said sheets originally on the table, acommon actuating means for releasing the clamping of the forward ends ofthe sheets and for releasing the rear ends of the sheets by changing theangle of the ends ofthe sheets beneath the table adjacent the rear edgethereof, and a common yielding means for retracting said last mentionedmeans to draw the sheets beneath the writing table at the rear edgethereof to lock them, on their creases on the rear edge'of the 35writing table, and to clamp the sheets at their forward edges withrespect to the writing table.

32. Apparatus oi the character described hav ing, in combination, meansfor guiding a strip to writing position, a transverse strip-checkingedge,

' a gripper, and a strip-retracting device.

33. Apparatus of the character described having, in combination, meansfor guiding a strip to writing position, a transverse strip checkingedge, a gripper, and a strip-retracting device movable into and out ofposition projecting outside said checking edge.

34. Apparatus of the character described, having, in combination, aplaten, having'an opening for passage of a record strip, a. strip-guideadjacent said opening, a transverse strip-checking edge, and means forretracting the record strip,

- said strip-retracting means being movable into and out ofposition-projecting outside said checking edge.

35. Apparatw of the character described having, in combination, astrip-aligner around which the strips are adapted to fold, a device tocause unfolding action of the strips at said aligner, and a movabletearing bar operatively connected to said unfolding device, whereby saidunfolding device is actuated when said tearing bar is moved.

36. In an apparatus of the character described, in combination, aplaten, a strip-checking memher, a strip-releasing device movablymounted adjacent said strip checking device, a-movable strip tearing barpositione d forwardly of the platen and operating connections foroperating said strip-releasing. device when said strip tearins bar ismoved.

FRANK E. PFEIFFER.

